NFL 2013 division odds: NFCN 'PACKERS' Solid ... AFCN ... Up For Grabs

[woodbuck27]

http://www.covers.com/articles/articles.aspx?theArt=319757

NFL 2013 division odds: AFC North title up for grabs

" The Giants, Packers, Falcons and Niners are all faves in the NFC while the Patriots, Texans and Broncos top their AFC division futures with a three-way tie in the AFC North between the Steelers, Ravens and Bengals."


NFC NORTH DIVISION

PACKERS 5-8

BEARS 3-1

VIKINGS 5-1

LIONS 7-1

For the betting odds for the other NFL teams. Please check the LINK above.

GO PACK GO !

[denverYooper]

I'm kind of surprised that the Bears are that high. They are looking at a pretty major identity change this year.

[hoosier]

Agreed. Even without the Chi coaching change I would take the Vikings over the Bears this year, based on talent alone. Urlacher was getting old but they will miss his leadership.

[woodbuck27]

The Vikings have to be watched. They have a solid GM/HC relationship going on there. A very focused GM, his performance so far ... impressive.

The Bears will be in for some adjustment (maybe) with a new HC. I gurantee this though.Watch out for Marc Trestman. I certainly have come to respect that man's knowledge and pure efffort and dedication to his job.

GO PACK GO !

[RashanGary]

I like Christian Ponder. The difference between him and that backup was awful.


The Vikings biggest problem, IMO, is their defense. Allen can't do it alone. I expect the Vikings to have a top 5 offense this year. Sounds crazy, but I think they can be that good.

[smuggler]

Not top-10, but pretty close - I could see that.

[RashanGary]

Ponder Stats 2013:

3,800 yards
25 TD's
15 INT's
65% Comp Percentage
92 QB Rating

[HarveyWallbangers]

I take you don't actually watch Ponder much.

[RashanGary]

I take you don't actually watch Ponder much.

I've watched probably 10-12 Viking games the last two years. He's been building his game the last two seasons. This is the year it comes together. He has everything except maybe the rocket arm. He's a competitor, he's accurate, he moves well, he has an excellent running game. Jennings is a savvy vet. He'll end up on a page with Ponder that Ponder has never seen, and the other guys will strive to get there.

Ponder, to me, is the single most underrated QB in the league. He had garbage weapons after Harvin went out last year. Absolute garbage.

[Brandon494]

He also we against an opposing defense stacking the box to attempt to stop AP. While I do believe Ponder will have a better season with the talent the Vikings have put around him I'm still not drafting him in fantasy football.

[Bretsky]

I can't figure out what my view on Ponder is. I know HW hates him and he is usually pretty spot on in evaluations......although sometimes he can be a bit bias due to his intense hate for the Vikings.......Ponder...to me....looks just ok. think there are probably 12-15 QB's I'd clearly take over him and he might be in the litter with the next 4-6.

He seems to have limited upside though...an Alex Smith kind of guy. I can't figure out who I want to compare him to.

If he develops the Vikings can be scary good; but I'm not sure the upside is there

[HarveyWallbangers]

He lacks arm strength and his accuracy is not good on medium to deep throws. His dink and dunk style gave him okay passer ratings, but to me he's another Mark Sanchez. I like his athletic ability though. I don't think he has the goods to be an upper echelon QB.

[HarveyWallbangers]

I can't figure out what my view on Ponder is. I know HW hates him and he is usually pretty spot on in evaluations......although sometimes he can be a bit bias due to his intense hate for the Vikings.......Ponder...to me....looks just ok. think there are probably 12-15 QB's I'd clearly take over him and he might be in the litter with the next 4-6.

He seems to have limited upside though...an Alex Smith kind of guy. I can't figure out who I want to compare him to.

If he develops the Vikings can be scary good; but I'm not sure the upside is there

I call them like I see them. I've said in the past that the Vikings have had more elite players than the Packers but lacked depth and had too many below average starters. I think Spielman is doing a good job. They don't have as many elite players, but their roster is much better from top-to-bottom. I think this QB is likely going to be Spielman's achilles heal though.

[RashanGary]

Jeff Garcia but slightly bigger, slightly stronger. . . I think he's going to have a short window to be really good, just because he needs all of the arm strength and movement ability he has, but I think he'll have a few year window here (for the rest of AP's prime) where he's pretty friggin good.

[RashanGary]

Aaron Rodgers is a John Elway career away from Favre's marks. Just looking at all time QB leaders. Wow, can't believe how many years Favre threw for 3,500-4,000 yards with 30TD's. Almost 2 decades of 30TD seasons. And I mention Ponder having one season with 3,800 yards and 25 TD's and people think it's impossible. Haha, makes Favre look pretty good, don't it?